TY - CONF A1 - Ruehle, Bastian T1 - A Self-Driving Lab for Nano and Advanced Materials Synthesis in a Self-Driving Lab N2 - In this contribution, we present our Self-Driving Lab (SDL) for Nano and Advanced Materials, that integrates robotics for batched autonomous synthesis – from molecular precursors to fully purified nanomaterials – with automated characterization and data analysis, for a complete and reliable nanomaterial synthesis workflow. By fully automating the processing steps for seven different materials from five representative, completely different classes of nano- and advanced materials (metal, metal oxide, silica, metal organic framework, and core–shell particles) that follow different reaction mechanisms, we demonstrate the great versatility and flexibility of the platform. The system also exhibits high modularity and adaptability in terms of reaction scales and incorporates in-line characterization measurement of hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential, and optical properties (absorbance, fluorescence). We discuss the excellent reproducibility of the various materials synthesized on the platform in terms of particle size and size distribution, and the adaptability and modularity that allows access to a diverse set of nanomaterial classes. We also present several key aspects of the central backend that orchestrates the (parallelized) syntheses workflows. One key feature is the resource management or “traffic control” for scheduling and executing parallel reactions in a multi-threaded environment. Another is the interface with data analysis algorithms from in-line, at-line, and off-line measurements. Here, we will give examples of how automatic image segmentation of electron microscopy images with the help of AI can be used for reducing the “data analysis bottleneck” from an off-line measurement. We will also discuss various machine learning (ML) algorithms that are currently implemented in the backend and can be used for ML-guided, closed-loop material optimization in our SDL. Lastly, we will show our recent efforts in making the workflow generation on SDLs more user-friendly by using large language models to generate executable workflows automatically from synthesis procedures given in natural language and user-friendly graphical user interfaces based on node editors that also allow for knowledge graph extraction from the workflows. In this context, we are currently also working on a common description or ontology for representing the process steps and parameters of the workflows, which will greatly facilitate the semantic description and interoperability of workflows between different SDL hardware and software platforms. T2 - Series on Digitalisation-Meet the Experts | Special Topic: Automation CY - Berlin, Germany DA - 27.02.2026 KW - Self-Driving Labs KW - Materials Acceleration Platforms KW - Advanced Materials KW - Nanomaterials KW - Automation KW - Digitalization PY - 2026 AN - OPUS4-65604 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Ryll, Tom William T1 - Applied and Technical Mineralogy:� high-throughput automated platform for in-situ monitoring of CaSO4 formation N2 - In this project we investigate nucleation pathways by utilizing synchrotron-XRD and running a case-study on calcium sulfate and its polymorphs. To accomplish this, we developed a modular automation setup for reactions in solution to run synthesis and control reaction conditions. So far we successfully characterized the recycling process of gypsum (CaSO4*2H2O) and are now investigating the formation of anhydrite (CaSO4*0H2O) as well as possible applications for the automation setup and analysis. T2 - Geo4Göttingen 2025 CY - Göttingen, Germany DA - 14.09.2025 KW - Recycling KW - Gypsum KW - Synchrotron-X-ray-diffraction KW - Raman-spectroscopy KW - Automation PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64139 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Stawski, Tomasz T1 - Towards sustainable solution-driven recycling of gypsum N2 - Calcium sulfate hemihydrate (CaSO4ᐧ0.5H2O), also known as bassanite, has been used as a precursor to produce gypsum (dihydrate, CaSO4ᐧ2H2O) for various construction and decorative purposes since prehistoric times. The main route to obtain hemihydrate is a thermal treatment of gypsum at temperatures typically between 150 °C and 200 °C to remove some of the structural water. In this contribution, we introduce (Fig. 1) a more efficient and sustainable method (T < 100 °C) that enables the direct, rapid, and reversibly conversion of gypsum to bassanite using reusable high salinity aqueous solutions (brineswith c[NaCl] > 4 M). The optimum conditions for the efficient production of bassanite in a short time (< 5 min) involve the use of brines with c(NaCl) > 4 M and maintaining a temperature, T > 80 °C. When the solution containing bassanite crystals is cooled down to around room temperature, eventually gypsum is formed. When the temperature is raised again to T > 80 °C, bassanite is rapidly re-precipitated. This contrasts with the typical behaviour of the bassanite phase in low salt environments. Traditionally, hemihydrate is obtained through a solid state thermal treatment because bassanite is considered to be metastable with respect to gypsum and anhydrite in aqueous solutions, and therefore gypsum-to-bassanite conversion should not occur in water. Its very occurrence actually contradicts numerical thermodynamic predictions regarding solubility of calcium sulfate phases. By following the evolution of crystalline phases with in situ and time-resolved X-ray diffraction/scattering and Raman spectroscopy, we demonstrated that the phase stability in brines at elevated temperatures is inaccurately represented in the thermodynamic databases. Most notably for c(NaCl) > 4 M, and T > 80 °C gypsum becomes readily more soluble than bassanite, which induces the direct precipitation of the latter from gypsum. The fact that these transformations are controlled by the solution provides extensive opportunities for precise manipulation of crystal formation. Our experiments confirmed that bassanite remained the sole crystalline structure for many hours before reverting into gypsum. This property is extremely advantageous for practical processing and efficient crystal extraction in industrial scenarios. T2 - RAL-SAS - UK Small angle scattering meeting 2025 CY - Oxford, United Kongdom DA - 16.06.2025 KW - Scattering KW - SAXS KW - Calcium sulfate KW - Gypsum PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64682 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Stawski, Tomasz T1 - Towards sustainable solution-driven recycling of gypsum N2 - Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) is a crucial mineral across sectors such as construction, agriculture, and biomedicine. Despite its potentially full recyclability, a shortage looms due to limited mining in Europe and decreasing production of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, a byproduct of coal power plants. With current EU consumption at 24 MT/a (17 MT mined, 7 MT FGD), a deficit of 10-35 MT/a is projected by the 2030s as CaSO₄ becomes a critical raw material [1]. Meanwhile, substantial CaSO₄ waste is produced in various industries (e.g., phosphogypsum, red gypsum), but its recycling remains limited (10% in Germany, 5% in the EU) due to contamination and separation challenges. This contribution introduces a sustainable, efficient wet-chemical method for converting gypsum to bassanite (CaSO₄·0.5H₂O), and thus recycling gypsum, under mild conditions (T < 100 °C) using reusable high-salinity aqueous solutions (brines with c[NaCl] > 4 M) [2]. The optimal conversion conditions (T > 80°C, c[NaCl] > 4 M) enable rapid (<5 min) and reversible transformation (Fig. 1). Upon cooling, gypsum re-forms, offering a temperature-dependent control over phase transition. Unlike conventional thermal dehydration (150-200 °C), this approach promotes the dissolution of gypsum, allowing contaminants to be separated via selective precipitation or adsorption. Additionally, the wet-chemical process facilitates the physical removal of impurities from gypsum matrices, making it advantageous for recycling gypsum waste from sources such as demolition or urban mining, where it is often mixed with other materials. Our approach presents a sustainable pathway for recovering high-purity bassanite from contaminated gypsum waste, aligning with EU goals for resource conservation and waste reduction. T2 - MaterialsWeek 2025 CY - Frankfurt am Main, Germany DA - 02.04.2025 KW - Gypsum KW - Calcium sulfate KW - Recycling PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64677 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Stawski, Tomasz T1 - Towards circular economy of gypsum N2 - Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) is a crucial mineral across sectors such as construction, agriculture, and biomedicine. Despite its potentially full recyclability, a shortage looms due to limited mining in Europe and decreasing production of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, a byproduct of coal power plants. With current EU consumption at 24 MT/a (17 MT mined, 7 MT FGD), a deficit of 10-35 MT/a is projected by the 2030s as CaSO₄ becomes a critical raw material [1]. Meanwhile, substantial CaSO₄ waste is produced in various industries (e.g., phosphogypsum, red gypsum), but its recycling remains limited (10% in Germany, 5% in the EU) due to contamination and separation challenges. This talk introduces a sustainable, efficient wet-chemical method for converting gypsum to bassanite (CaSO₄·0.5H₂O), and thus recycling gypsum, under mild conditions (T < 100 °C) using reusable high-salinity aqueous solutions (brines with c[NaCl] > 4 M) [2]. The wet-chemical process facilitates the physical removal of impurities from gypsum matrices, making it advantageous for recycling gypsum waste from sources such as demolition or urban mining, where it is often mixed with other materials. The approach presents a sustainable pathway for recovering high-purity bassanite from contaminated gypsum waste, aligning with EU goals for resource conservation and waste reduction. T2 - GFZ Interface Geochemistry Seminars Spring 2025 CY - Potsdam, Germany DA - 06.05.2025 KW - Calcium sulfate KW - Circular economy KW - Gypsum PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64681 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Stawski, Tomasz T1 - Historical Plaster Formulations and Their Influence on Crystallographic Microstructure N2 - Historical plaster formulations offer valuable insights into advanced engineering in pre-modern cultures. This study examines two such gypsum-based recipes: Gach-e Koshteh from 14th-century Iran and Gesso Sottile from 15th-century Italy, both of which have unique characteristics and were essential for artistic and architectural decoration. By replicating these recipes in a laboratory setting, we demonstrate how traditional masters manipulated gypsum microstructure without additives to optimize the surface and mechanical properties of plaster for specific functional and artistic purposes. The Koshteh recipe involves intensive kneading during plaster hydration, which retards setting and produces a platelet-like crystal morphology with alignment of the {010} faces, resulting in a hydrophilic surface ideal for water-based wall paintings. Sottile, in contrast, relies on slow recrystallization in excess water, generating loosely packed, needle-like crystals with reduced wettability—suitable for oil-based painting and gilding. Using wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we reveal that the Koshteh recipe yields a denser, better-packed plaster with enhanced wettability, while the Sottile recipe forms larger, more loosely arranged crystals and a more hydrophobic surface. These findings underscore the ingenuity of historical materials engineering and offer valuable insights for modern conservation and sustainable restoration practices. T2 - Geo4Göttingen 2025 CY - Göttingen, Germany DA - 14.09.2025 KW - Plaster KW - Gypsum KW - Stucco KW - Cultural heritage PY - 2025 DO - https://doi.org/10.48380/4e5z-av91 AN - OPUS4-64685 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Stawski, Tomasz T1 - Towards solution-driven recycling of gypsum N2 - Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) is a crucial mineral across sectors such as construction, agriculture, and biomedicine. Despite its potentially full recyclability, a shortage looms due to limited mining in Europe and decreasing production of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, a byproduct of coal power plants. With current EU consumption at 24 MT/a (17 MT mined, 7 MT FGD), a deficit of 10-35 MT/a is projected by the 2030s as CaSO₄ becomes a critical raw material [1]. Meanwhile, substantial CaSO₄ waste is produced in various industries (e.g., phosphogypsum, red gypsum), but its recycling remains limited (10% in Germany, 5% in the EU) due to contamination and separation challenges. This contribution introduces a sustainable, efficient wet-chemical method for converting gypsum to bassanite (CaSO₄·0.5H₂O), and thus recycling gypsum, under mild conditions (T < 100 °C) using reusable high-salinity aqueous solutions (brines with c[NaCl] > 4 M) [2]. The optimal conversion conditions (T > 80°C, c[NaCl] > 4 M) enable rapid (<5 min) and reversible transformation. Upon cooling, gypsum re-forms, offering a temperature-dependent control over phase transition. Unlike conventional thermal dehydration (150-200 °C), this approach promotes the dissolution of gypsum, allowing contaminants to be separated via selective precipitation or adsorption. Additionally, the wet-chemical process facilitates the physical removal of impurities from gypsum matrices, making it advantageous for recycling gypsum waste from sources such as demolition or urban mining, where it is often mixed with other materials. T2 - Geo4Göttingen 2025 CY - Göttingen, Germany DA - 14.09.2025 KW - Calcium sulfate KW - Gypsum PY - 2025 DO - https://doi.org/10.48380/fhck-bv98 AN - OPUS4-64684 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Miliūtė, Aistė T1 - Structural evolution of ZrV2O7: supercell persistence revealing local and global structure duality N2 - In the AM2O7 family of negative thermal expansion materials (NTE), evidence of supercell at room temperature was reported following the Völlenke et al. discovery of missed superlattice due to the apparent linearity of the M-O-M bond in GeP2O7. Korthuis et al. and Khosrovani et al. demonstrated it to be true for cubic ZrV2O7 as well. It was concluded that at room temperature, the structure consists of 27 'subcells' with bent M2O7 groups that appear to form a linear configuration due to refinement of averaged position. However, around 100 °C, the transition to the “parent” cell was reported, where the cell volume increases, and the M-O-M angles are constrained by the Pa-3 space group symmetry to be 180°. We followed structural changes in the ZrV2O7 at high temperatures to demonstrate partial disorder within the crystal, local and global structural duality and supercell persistence at high temperatures. Total scattering measurements and Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis revealed that the experimental pattern cannot be fitted with the “parent structure” model, and only the 3×3×3 supercell model can correspond to local and global structures throughout the full 25-700 °C temperature range. We also show how short and long-range order within the crystal changes when approaching the phase transition, which might indicate the existence of coherent structural domains that evolve between order and disorder with increasing temperature. We further hypothesize how this can be related to the negative thermal expansion mechanism and the interpretation of structure solutions presenting data from high-temperature X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) measurements. T2 - 5th International Symposium on Negative Thermal Expansion and Related Materials (ISNTE-5) CY - Porto, Portugal DA - 29.07.2025 KW - NTE KW - Ab initio KW - PDF KW - CSM PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63874 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Miliūtė, Aistė T1 - Theoretical and experimental development of negative thermal expansion material ZrV2O7 N2 - Zirconium vanadate (ZrV2O7) is a well-known negative thermal expansion (NTE) material which stands out for its remarkable isotropic unit cell contraction over a broad temperature range (130°C < T < 800°C). This enables the fabrication of composites where the overall expansion coefficient can be tailored to a specific negative, positive, or neutral value. Consequently, such composite materials are attractive for many device applications because they can compensate for damage caused by thermal expansion. They are relevant to optical systems, electronic and biomedical applications. In this study, we implement ab-initio-based vibrational computations with partially treated anharmonicity (quasi-harmonic approximation (QHA), temperature-dependent effective harmonic potentials (TDEP)[5]) in combination with experimental methods to follow and rationalize the negative thermal expansion in this material, including the influence of the local structure disorder, microstructure, and defects. In analytical techniques that can provide structural information such as pair distribution function analysis (PDF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS), molecules and atoms are fit geometrically without consideration of atom interactions. Therefore, in combination with these methods, we also consider potential energy surfaces and conclude what structures are likely to form energetically in the full NTE temperature range, in addition to fitting experimental data geometrically. We also optimise experimentally fitted structures to their lowest energy configurations and re-generate comparative data to observe what differences would be visible experimentally. T2 - XLVIII International Congress of Theoretical Chemists of Latin Expression CY - Cartagena de Indias, Colombia DA - 13.07.2025 KW - NTE KW - Ab initio KW - QHA KW - TDEP KW - anharmonicity PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-63873 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - de Oliveira Guilherme Buzanich, Ana T1 - The versatility of XAS@BAM for real-time in situ electrocatalysis in collaborative materials research N2 - With the global push toward sustainable energy technologies, the development of efficient and durable electrocatalysts has become a research priority. Real-time in situ studies are essential to understand the dynamic behavior of catalysts under operational conditions. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) offers a unique, element-specific probe of electronic and structural changes at the active sites of electrocatalysts during electrochemical reactions. At BAM, collaborative research efforts leverage the advanced capabilities of the BAMline at the Berlin Synchrotron BESSY-II to study electrocatalytic materials under realistic working conditions. As a dedicated materials research beamline, the BAMline enables in situ and operando XAS across different time and length scales, making it ideally suited for monitoring catalytic transformations in real time. This presentation highlights the analytical strengths and sample environments developed for electrochemical cells at BAM, showcasing their application to electrocatalysis for energy conversion (e.g., water splitting, CO₂ reduction). Emphasis will be placed on how these insights contribute to the rational design and real-time optimization of functional materials for a sustainable energy future. T2 - MATSUS Konferenz CY - Valencia, Spanien DA - 20.10.2025 KW - Operando KW - XAS KW - In situ KW - Electrocatalysis PY - 2025 AN - OPUS4-64493 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -